Interview with Daisy Waterstone 22 · original and innovative television drama and feature films. Productions to date include adaptations of Neil Gaiman’sLikely Stories for Sky

PressRelease 3

ForewordbySimonNye 6

InterviewwithKeeleyHawes 8

InterviewwithJoshO’Connor 13

InterviewwithCallumWoodhouse 18

InterviewwithDaisyWaterstone 22

InterviewwithMiloParker 26

InterviewwithAlexiaGeorgoulis 30

EpisodeSynopses 32

CharacterCredits 33

ProductionCredits 35

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Contents

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ITVreturnstoCorfu formoresun,seaandanimalsinathirdseriesofhugelypopulardrama,TheDurrells.

Producedby thrivingdramaindie,SidGentleFilmsLtd.asaco-production withMASTERPIECE,theseriesseesacclaimedactressKeeleyHawes(TheMissing,LineOfDuty)repriseher roleasmatriarchLouisaDurrellforabrandneweight-partseries.

WrittenbyBAFTAawardnominee,SimonNye(MenBehavingBadly,ReggiePerrin), andbasedonGeraldDurrell’strilogyofbooks,TheDurrells tellsthestoryofLouisaandher fourspiritedandunrulychildren,Larry(JoshO’Connor),Leslie(CallumWoodhouse),Margo(DaisyWaterstone)andGerry(MiloParker)astheystartanewlifeinCorfuinthe1930s.

Inthenewseries,Louisahasmadethedecisiontogiveupsearchingforlove,choosinginsteadtofocusonherfamily.However,withLarrystrugglingtowritehisthirdnovel,Margoinsearchofanewvocation,GerrycontinuingtogrowhismenagerieandLesliejugglingthreedifferentgirls,Louisahasherworkcutout.WithanimminentarrivalfromherAunt(BarbaraFlynn),Louisahopes thatHermionewillbeabletohelpsetherchildrenbackonthestraightandnarrow.

AlsoreprisingtheirrolesintheupcomingseriesareAlexisGeorgoulis(Marionetes)asSpiro,AnnaSavva(Tyrant)asLugaretzia,Yorgos Karamihos (Ben-Hur)asTheodore, LucyBlack(CallTheMidwife)asFlorence,UlricVonDerEsch(CrossingLines)asSven,JamesCosmo(SS-GB)asCreechandLeslieCaron(Chocolat)astheCountessMavrodaki.NewfacestojointhecastfortheseriesincludeMilesJupp (Howard’sEnd),HenryLloyd-Hughes(IndianSummers)andnewcomerElliTriggou.

The Durrells Returns For A Third Series

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TheseriesisexecutiveproducedbySidGentleLtd.’sfounder,BAFTAaward-winningfilmmakerSallyWoodwardGentle(SS-GB,AnyHumanHeart)andManagingDirectorLeeMorris(DaVinci’sDemons,TheDamnedUnited)togetherwithSimonNye.ChristopherHall(Dracula,Critical)isseriesproducer,andRogerGoldby (CallTheMidwife,Hustle)andNiallMacCormick (Complicit,TheGame)directtheseries.

AboutSidGentleFilmsLtd.

SallyWoodwardGentleformedSidGentleFilmsLimitedinSeptember2013toproduceoriginalandinnovativetelevisiondramaandfeaturefilms.ProductionstodateincludeadaptationsofNeilGaiman’s LikelyStories forSkyandLenDeighton’sepicSS-GB forBBCOne.Thisyear,inadditiontoTheDurrells,thecompanyisalsoproducingPhoebeWaller-Bridge’sKillingEveforBBCAmerica.

Priortosettingupherowncompany,SallywasCreativeDirectorofCarnivalFilmsresponsiblefortheproduction ofWhitechapel,MurderontheHomeFront,TheLastWeekend,AnyHumanHeartand Enid. LeeMorris,ManagingDirector,hasproducedmanyhighprofiledramasincludingtheBAFTAawardwinningAnyHumanHeart,PeterMorgan’sTheJury,andEnid starringHelenaBonhamCarter.Hewasalsoco-produceronthefeaturefilmTheDamnedUnited,aswellasproducingMyZincBedandANumber(bothforHBO/BBCFilms).

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It'sgreattobeback.Wehavebeenallowedtomakeeightepisodesinseriesthree- twomorethanusual,thoughadmittedlyshortofHolby City’s64.Apartfrombeingavoteofconfidence fromITV,ithasgivenmeachancetogettoknowthecharactersbetterthanmyownfamily.Itisourbestseriestodate,andI’mnot justsayingthat.

LouisaDurrellsteersherchildrenthroughanewsetoffamilycrises,fauxpas,neurosesandlovetrials.Gerryisbecomingmorecombativeasheburststheboundsofinnocentchildhood,despitehismotherbeingindenial.Margohasherfirstproperjobbutremainsproudly themost“spiritual”andhasachancetoprove it.Leslie’sviewthat“badthingsalwayshappentome”seemstruethen,delightfully,not trueatalluntiltheseriesbuildstoaclimax…AndLarryremainsLouisa’sconfidante,butaconfidanteyoufrequentlywanttoslap.

Thisbeingbackinthe1930s,Ididn’twanttomaketoomanyfacileparallelswithourcurrentBrexittrauma,but thesubjectofEuropeandourplaceinithoversover thewholeshow.SpiroandTheolovetheBritish,wholovethem;Lugaretzia,thethirdlegoftheDurrells’belovedGreektriumvirate,isscepticalabouteveryonewherevertheycomefrom.Leslie,atleast,haslearntGreek,whereasLarryandLouisa,convinced internationalists,wouldrathereveryonebuckleddownandlearnedEnglish…

TheDurrells,inmanywayssoveryEnglish,arefeelingmoreGreekbytheyear.EspeciallyafterbeingexposedagaintotheirEnglishrelativesandadisconcertingtripbacktoEngland.

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FOREWORDBYWRITER,SIMONNYE

EachepisodefeaturesatleastsomethingfromGeraldDurrell’sfabuloustrilogy.ThecharismaticIndianguestPrinceJeejeebuoy,Gerry’sbelovedwallofinsects,Margo’shobbysculptingsoap,Leslie’sburglar-shootingsystem,Larry’sartistvisitorsincludingafrequentlynakedHenryMiller,andsoon.

I’vetakenothernewelementsfromhistoricaltruth,whichGeraldleftoutofhisalreadyhighlyfictionalisedreminiscences.TheoStephanides,whennotbeinganaturalist-poet-raconteur-polymath,wasaradiographer,bringingmuchneededmedicalhelptotheisland.Margoagreestoworkwithhim,largelybecauseshelikestoseemenwiththeirshirtsoff.Lesliewasinrealityapart-timememberoftheCorfupoliceforce,despiteorperhapsbecauseofhisfondnessforshootinganythingthatmoves,sointhisseriesheisseenon thebeat.

ThepoliticalsituationinGreece,thoughtoochaotictobeasoppressiveasinGermanyor Italy,wasdeeplyreactionary.Astheonlygaygoatherderontheisland,arguably,Svenfallsfoulofthenewmoralconservatism,andneedsthepoliticallyengagedLarrytocampaignpassionatelybut ineptlytogethimoutofprison.

OneofthemainspinesofthethirdseriesisanotherelementI’veexplored fromreallife- Leslie’spainfulpassagetomaturityashefallsinlove,severaltimesconcurrently inepisodeone.Hegoesontodiscover thatsexcanhaveseriousconsequences,evenif,asheprotests,“Weonlydiditoneandahalftimes…”

Louisa’srelationshipwithSpiroformstheother spine.Theattractionispotentbutinconvenient - Louisaisinnomood forloveafterthetrouble it'scausedhersincebeingon theisland,andSpiroismarriedwithchildren.ButthisseriesseeshimandLouisadriftcloserandclosertogether…

Buttheshowremainslightonitsfeet,Ihope.Louisaishappy,orwouldbeifshecouldjusttweakherchildrentobehowshewantsthem.Anepisode involvinga“perfect”Italianfamilymakesherrealiseshecoulddoalotworse.

AndwehavethrownourselvesintothegloriousMediterraneancountrysideagain.Gerry’sperpetualhuntfornewandmoreexoticanimalstakeshimoutandabout - experimentinghumanelywithflamingos,trackingdownbabyvultures,andfindingagirlfriendwho’saspassionateaboutanimalsasheis.

Thewildliferemainsajoy- tolookatifnot tofilm.Itturnsoutthatflamingosareratherhighlystrung,andmakethepelicanslookpositivelyprofessional.Weallfellinlovewiththesloth,andunlikewiththeothercreaturestherewasnodangerthathewouldmakeadashforit- fortunatelyaswefilmedhiminEnglandandhewouldquicklyhavefoundhimselfonnotoriouslyungulate-averseEalingBroadway.

WehopeTheDurrells willcontinuetofindalargeaudience,despiteitsblatantlackofheavydutycrimeandproceduralbleakness.Itisfamilyviewingbuthopefullywithabitofsurpriseandnuance.Comeforthesunshineandtheanimals,stayforthebrilliantacting,thereminderthatweareallEuropeans,andaclosingepisodefeaturingacontortionist,magic,andtheclimaxofatleasttwoheartrendinglovestories.

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KeeleyHawesplaysLouisaDurrell

Asyouneartheendoffilming,howdoyoureflectbackonmakingthisthirdseries?

“There’salwaysasenseofachievement.Thistimewe’vefilmedeightepisodesforthefirsttime,insteadofsix.Soalongwiththetirednessisagreatsenseofsatisfactionthatyouhavemadeeighthoursoftelevision.It’salot.Andwhenit’sasgoodasTheDurrells is- whichIbelieveitis- that’sreallynice.

“Particularlywhenyou’rebackforathirdseries.Youknowpeople likeitandeveryonehasworkedoutwhatworksandwhatdoesn’twork.Ifeelwe’reallinverycapablehandswitheveryonewhomakesTheDurrells.So,hopefully, it’sjustgotbiggerandbetterandpeoplewilllikeit.”

WheredowefindLouisawhenwemeetTheDurrells again?

“Louisahasdecided togiveuphersearchforloveandconcentrateonherselfandthechildren.Whichisnotabadideajudgingbyherprevious involvementwithmen.Thefamilyisstillinfinancialdirestraits,butLarryisearningalittlebitofmoneywithhiswritingandsomemoneyistricklinginfromthemarket.Evenso,theyallneed togetjobs.ThenAuntHermione,playedbythebrilliantBarbaraFlynn,comestovisit.”

Whatisitlikereturning toCorfu to filmanotherseries?

“It’sasecondhomeforusnow.WhenwereturntoCorfuwedon’tneedanytimeatalltogetbackintotheswingofthings.EveryoneissobrillianttherethatweareimmediatelybacktobeingTheDurrells anditalljuststartsrollingagain.

“Wefilmedearlierintheyearthistimeandsowedidn’t reallyhaveanyrainatall.Itwasspringtimeandbeautiful.Iwouldadviseanybody thinkingofgoingtoCorfu togoatthattimeoftheyearbecauseit’sjustgorgeous.”

Howdopeopleon theislandreactto theproduction?

“Peoplearealwaysverypleasedtoseeus.Andnowtheserieshasbeengoingforafewyears,whenpeopleseetheproduction trucks, theyknowexactlywhatitis.There’slotsofshoutsof,‘OhMrs.Durrell,Mrs.Durrell!’It’sjustverynice.Alwaysareallypositivething.

“Sometimespeoplehavebeenlookingforus.IwenttoCorfuAirport togohomefortheweekendandwasqueueingtogetontheplanewhenaladycameuptomewithherlittlegirlandsaid,‘We’vebeensearchingforyou for10daysandnowwe’vefoundyou!’

“IwasstillfullydoneupasLouisaDurrellwithmyhairandmake-upbecauseithadbeenamadrushtotheairport,sothatwasgoodforthem.Peoplelook forour locations,thehouseandsoon,whichisveryflattering.”

Louisa returnstoEnglandforavisit.Tellusabout that?

“Louisaendsuphavinganadventure inLondon, whichwasgreatfuntofilm.WefilmedinRichmond,Surrey,anditrainednon-stopfor12hours.Theyhadbookedrainmachinesbutwedidn’treallyneedthem.

“Itwasalittleoddtobeback inEnglandfilmingasthischaracter,butgoodtotakeusback totherootsofthisfamilyanditwasalovelycontrasttothesunshineofCorfu.AsmuchaswelovebeinginGreece,itwasgoodtohavethattimeathomeaswell.”

WemeettheAmericanwriterHenryMiller. Isthatinspiredbyreallife?

“LarryDurrellknewHenryMillerandinvitedhimtoGreece.InthenewseriesweendupwithanakedHenry MillerinCorfu.TrevorWhite,whoplaysHenry, tookoffallofhisclothesandjustwentforit.Therewasnothingshyabout it,whichisgreat.Itmakesitlessawkwardforeveryoneandwewereallverygrownupaboutit.It’svery funny.”

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HowdoLouisaandSpirogetonin thisseries?

“Wegoabitdeeperintotheirrelationshipinthisseries,whichisveryexcitingandeasytoplaybecauseAlexisGeorgoulis,whoplaysSpiro,isbrilliant.Wegetonsowellandreallyenjoy thosescenes.

“It’sabittersweetthing.LouisaandSpirowouldbesogoodtogether.They’rebothwonderfulpeoplebutLouisawouldnevergotherebecausehe’smarriedwithacoupleofchildren.It’s1937andaverydifferenttime.Butwaitandseewhathappens.

“WealsovisitSpiro’shouse forthefirsttimeinthisseries.That’swhenwegettoseeacompletelydifferentsideofhim.LouisahasneverbeentohishouseandIthinkpeoplewillbeveryinterestedinthat.Itexpands theworldofTheDurrellsbeyondourhouse.We’vebeentoSven’shouse,totown,thedoctor’sandothervariouslocations,butit’sgreattogointoothercharacters’houses.”

HowdoesLouisa reacttoanother foreignfamilyarrivinginCorfu?

“Louisa’snoseisputtotallyoutofjointbythat.Ineveryway.SpirohelpsthisnewfamilyashedidwhentheDurrells firstarrived.ShequestionswhetherSpiroisreallyherbestfriend,orifhe’sjustbeingpolite,asheistothenewfamily.Itreallythrowsher.Shebecomesvery jealousandcompetitivewiththem.”

IsLouisa’sGreekimproving?

“LouisahardlyspeaksanyGreek.Andshedidn’tinreallife.HerGreekwasfamouslybad.Callum,whoplaysLeslie,isverygoodatit.I’dsayhehasthemostGreeklinestosayinthisseries,butLouisa,thankfully,issupposed toberubbishatit.AsIam.Although Ididlearntosay,‘Thankyou,mystar,’inGreek.Whichpeopleseemtolike.Ifyou’regoingtosayanything,saythat.”

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Aretheanimalsstillstealingscenes?

“Wehaveflamingosthistime.Theyarebeautiful.Andthepelicanswerebabieswhenwestartedandnowtheyarefullygrownbirds.Weknowno-one isgoingtobelisteningtoanythingyousaywhenthereisananimalinthescene.We’reusedtothatnow.

“AndinthisserieswealsohaveFrankthesloth.Thatwasquiteextraordinarybecauseit’snotananimalyougettoseeveryoften.Infact,Idon’t thinkI’deverseenonebefore.It’ssounusual- justgorgeousandsocute.However,hewasveryheavy!

“WehadsceneswrittenforGerry (MiloParker)sittingwiththeslothandmovingaroundwithit,but itturnedouttheslothwastooheavy forMilo.Hishandsweretoosmall.AswereDaisy’s(Margo),sothey ropedmein- whichiswhyIhaveasceneholdingthesloth.

“Itreallyisanextraordinaryanimalwhich,ofcourse,decidestobecomemostanimatedinthebackofsomeone’sclose-ups.Thenwhenyouwantittodosomething,itjustwon’tmove.Itwasamazingtohavethatonset.”

DoesLouisacometotermswithboth Leslieand,particularly,Gerrygrowingup?

“There’salineabouthoweveryyearthechildrenallmovefurtherawayfromLouisa.‘ThelasttimeIbrushyour teethforyou, thelasttimeyou letmeholdyourhandaswecrosstheroad.’It’sheartbreaking.Andit’ssotrue.IdorememberthelasttimeIbrushedmychildren’steethforthem.

“OurwriterSimonNyeissogoodatthatbecausehe’sgotchildren,been thereanddone it.Hedealswithallofthatsobeautifully.

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“It’sbeenreallyexcitingforMilo.He’shadsomelovelysceneswhereGerryischangingandgrowingup. It’sgreatthatit’sbeenaddressedbecausehe’sclearlytallerthanwhenwestartedandwe’vegotasmallmoustacheonthego.

“Gerrywasarealmanandhedidgrowup.Ithinkit’saddressedinabrilliantwaywithsomelovelyscenes.Anyonewithanangryadolescentwillbeverysympathetic!It’salearningcurve forallofus.

“There’sonesceneinvolvingGerrywhichwe’veyettofilminvolvingapoemhe’swrittenabouthismother.AndIcan’tevenreadthescenewithoutcryingmyeyesout.

“Italwayshasthisaddedlayerwhenyouknowthesewererealpeople.It’sheart-wrenching,buttheyaresomeofmyfavourite scenes.LouisaknowsGerrywillgrowupandhastoacceptit.EventuallyLouisa’schildrendidflythenest.”

SimonNyedescribesTheDurrells ascomforting televisionthatilluminatesandcelebratesfamilylife.Thereisobviouslyaplaceforthat intoday’sworld?

“Ithinkthat’salottodowithitssuccess.Exactlythat.I’vegottothepointwhereIdon’twanttoreadthenewsanymore.TheDurrells isverycomforting.It’sliketheVictoriaSpongeofTV,intheloveliestwaybecauseitiscomfortingandyoucanforgetaboutthoseother thingsjustforalittlewhile.”

Yetthisseriesalsotouchesonissuesoftheday,including dictatorshipandfascism?

“ItdealswithalloftheseissuesaheadoftheSecondWorldWar.Andwe’restilldealingwiththemtoday. Itdoesresonate.TheDurrells isnotmushyinanyway,ever.Thecutestuffisalwayscutwithverysharphumour andobservation,soit’snevertwee.

“That’swhatIloveaboutit.Itissoclever.It’ssuchaneasyandfunnyread.Thatsortofwritingissomeofthemostdifficulttodobecauseit’sactuallyalittlebitsharperthanyou imagine.

“TheDurrells wereimmigrantstoCorfuandwerecompletelywelcomed.Theyhadawonderfultimeinaperiodwherethingswereabout tobecomeverymessy.

“Itwasaverywell-timedthingforthemtodo.ForGerry tohavethatchildhoodandthatmoment.Andforallofthemtobecomethepeople theydid.Althoughnotallofthementirelysuccessful.Somehadverysadendings.ButLouisadidawonderfulthing.”

Oneepisode featuresatravellingcircus.Howwasthat tofilm?

“Thetravellingcircuswasfantastic.Itlookedbeautiful.SimonNyehadsomuchconfidenceinallofthedepartmentsthatworkwithus,includingtheartandcostumedepartments.Tovisualise somethinglikethatandhavetheconfidencethatpeoplearegoingtomakeitwork.

“Itwassobeautifulandjaw-dropping.Everyonehastheirmomenttoshine.Wewerereallyexcitedabout thatepisode.InasimplertimebeforeXboxandthings,acircuslikethatwouldhavebeenhugelyentertaining.Itisrathermagical,asisTheDurrells inlotsofway.”

Didyourfamilyvisityouonsetforthisseries?

“Matthewandthechildrencameoveragainfor10daysandhadaniceholiday.Ialsogobackhomealotmorethaneverybodyelsebecauseofthechildren.”

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JoshO’ConnorplaysLarryDurrell

Howdoyoulookbackon themakingofthisthirdseries?

“It’sveryemotionalwhenfilmingisnearingitsendandvariouscastmembersaresayinggoodbye. Weallgetonsowellandweareafamilyforthesemonthsoffilmingeveryyear.Ittakesafewweeksbeforeyoucanreflectbackon theseries.”

WheredowefindLarrywhenwemeethimagain?

“Larryisintheprocessofwritinganothernovel.Hehastriedtomoveawayfromthefamilyandthatdidn’tgoaswellashewouldhaveliked.OnLarry’smindisthisthingofhimbeingthefatherinthisfamilyinaway.Sothatobsessionaboutfindinghismotherapartner is,perhaps,aboutshiftingresponsibilityalittlebitandtryingtofindhisownindependence.

“There’sanairofthatinthisseries.WefindLarrysettlingbackintofamilylifewithanewoutlook. Andthenweseehimfallingbackintohisoldways.”

DoyouthinkSimonNyerelisheswritingforLarry?

“CertainlyfromtheconversationsI’vehadwithSimon,forawritertowriteacharacterwhoisawriterissuchajoy.Youcanalsotellhowmuchawriterenjoyswritingacharacterbecauseyougetsomegreatlines.There’sarhythmwithLarryandthesenuggetsofaline.YoucanjustseeSimonlaughingathimselfinhislittleoffice.It’sapleasuresayingthosedeadpan,negativelinesfromLarry.They’realwaysreallygoodtoundercut scenes.”

LarryandLouisareturn toEngland foravisit.Howwasthattofilm?

“WefilmedsomeexteriorsinRichmond,Surrey.Thatwasalotoffun.ItwasweirdtobefilmingonlocationbutnotinCorfu.Anditrainedalot.WhichisgreatbecauseyouwanttoshowthecontrastwithCorfu.

“TheLondon scenesarefantasticandthatwholestorylineisbrilliant.Wemeetsomenewcharacters,includingthewriterHenryMiller.SeeingLarry inthatsettingmakesforagoodstorylineintermsof,‘HowlonghasLarrygotleftstayinginthisfamily?’That’sareallyinterestingsideofit.

“ItisstrangetotakethosecharactersoutofthatGreeksetting.Itworksallthebetterfortheperformances.ThewholepointisthatLarryandLouisahavecomeawayfromEnglandandthentheyhavetocomeback.Therearecarsontheroadwhenthey’reusedtoonecar,Spiro’scar.Ilovedthrowingourselvesintoanewsetting.”

IsitalmostlikeLarryhasfound hisrealhome?

“That’sexactlyright.There’salotofwritingaboutHenryMillerandLawrenceDurrellbeingfriendsandevensomephotographsofHenrybeinginCorfu. I’mahugefanofHenryMiller’sworksoitwasnicetoactuallylivethat.

“Larryisverymuchtorn.Asmuchashemightcomplainandmoanabout it,heloveshisfamilyandlovesthesetting.Inthesecondserieshespokeaboutwantingstufftogowrongwithhisfamilybecauseitgiveshimsomethingtowriteabout.

“Butatthesametimethere’sthisotheryearningtobeinLondon andbewiththeBloomsburySetandthewholeliterarymovement.Soit’sarealbattle.InLondonhefinallyfindspeople likehim.He’snottheweirdone.”

Howdo fansreactwhentheyseeyoufilming?

“It’samazinghowthathasgrown.FromstartingtheseriesinCorfuandnoneofusbeingrecognised.Thengraduallyasseriesonecameoutanddidsowellandthenseriestwo,moreandmorepeoplestopusandsayhowmuchtheylovetheshow.It’salwaysnicetohearthat.

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“WehaveourregularspotswegotoinCorfuandwenowknowthelocalssowell.There’sarestaurantwegotowhichweabsolutelyadoreandthepeoplewhoownithavepicturesofusuponthewall.It’salovelycommunity.

“Weallhope theserieswillgoon.Butwhateverhappenswe’vehadanamazingexperienceonTheDurrells.It’sbeen thebestpossiblejob.YougotoCorfuandmeetpeoplewhosay,‘Wedidn’tknowwheretogoonholiday.ThenwewatchedtheshowandnowwecometoCorfuandwillkeepcoming.’ It’sagreatthingtohavebeeninvolved in.”

Larryhasanadventureonaboat.Areyouagoodsailor?

“No.I’mterrible.Ithink Ihadsailedoncebeforeandwasknockedofftheboat.Thatwasamazingtofilm.Theytook thisboatoutwithalittlemotorandwewentinthemiddleoftheoceanbetweenAlbaniaandGreece.

“Thenallofthecameradepartmentandeveryoneelsegotoffthissailingboatandwentaway,leavingmeonmyown.Theyfilmedmefromadistance.SoIfoundmyselfinthisweirdpositionwhereIdon’tknowhowtosailandI’mstuckaloneinthemiddleoftheoceanlookingatAlbania,whereI’veneverbeen,lookingbackatGreece.Iwastotallyisolated.

“Therewereacoupleofhairymomentsbutthatwasprobablyoneofmyfavourite scenestoeverfilm.Itwassomuchfun.Notmuchactingwasrequiredintermsofnotknowinghowtosailtheboat.”

DoesLarrystillavoidGerry’sanimals?

“We’vegotFranktheslothinthisseries,whowasbrilliant.AsmuchasthecharacterofLarryavoidstheanimals,IdoanythingIcantobewiththem.Theyareastonishinganimals.WhileRogerthedog- whoserealnameisMossup - isthebestdogintheworld.We’reallveryhandsonwiththeanimals.”

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Larrysays,‘Onefamily,entirelydifferentpeople.’ Doesthat, inpart, sumupwhythisseriesworkssowell?

“Yes.It’sthatthingthateveryonecanrecognise someone.Inthatfamilydynamiceveryonehasgottheirtrait.TheDurrells aresuchaneclecticgroupofmisfits,really.IlovethatandIthinkeveryone relatestothat.Theycanseeparallelsintheirownfamilies.It’sbrilliant.Thatlinesumsitup.And isaperfectreasonwhyGeraldDurrellwrotethebook.”

Larryjoins theCorfuFireBrigade.Howwasthat tofilm?

“WehadsomebrilliantCorfiot andGreekactorscominginforthat.Again,wehadanunbelievableset.Theartdepartmentanddesignersonthisshowarejustphenomenal.Thewholefirebrigadestorylinewasgreatfunandquiteunexpected forLarry.Anotheroneofmyfavourite episodes.Larry likesabitofflourishinhisoutfits.Iwon’tsaytoomuchabouthisuniformbuthedoes jazzthatup.”

Oneepisode featuresatravellingcircus.Thatmusthavebeenfun?

“Itwasalogisticalnightmare.NiallMacCormick,whodirectedthelastfourepisodes,hashadsomeamazingchallenges.Likeanentireepisodeinthehouse.Andthecircushassomeofthebestmaterial.It’ssofunny.There’sanewflingforLarry,andthecircusitselfisamazing.”

Thereisadangerous stuntatthecircus.Haveyoueverdoneanythingdangerous?

“Wellapartfrombeingleftaloneinthemiddleoftheocean,IdidafilmafewyearsagowhereIhadtojumpintoalake.InWales.InNovember.Itsnowedthemorningwewerejumpingin.Itwasabsolutelyterrifying.Ithinkthatwasprobably theclosestI’veeverbeentopackingitallin.”

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DoesLarryspeakmoreGreekinthisseries?

“Yes,LarrydoeshaveanumberofGreeklinesinthisseries.Andasactorswe’relearningmoreandmoreaswegoalong.It’squitefunny thatLarrydoesn’treallycareaboutlearningthelanguageanddoesn’twantto.Heenjoysbeingtheoddoneout.

“WeseeLeslietryingtospeakGreek.WhileLarry loveshisEnglishlanguagebecausethat’swhathewritesin.ButthereisahintthistimeofLarrymaybetryingtogetabitmoreonboardwiththeGreek.

“WhenitcomestousoffscreenIthinkmyGreekiscomingalongverywell.AlloftheGreeksseemtothinkwe’repathetic.ButIcansayallthekeystuff.Icangointoarestaurantandorderandthensaypleaseandthankyou.”

Didyourfriendsand familyvisityouduring filmingthistime?

“MymumanddadcameoutagaintoCorfu,alongwithmygirlfriend.Mymummayevenbeintheseries.Sopeoplecanwatchoutandguesswhothatis.Ifshemakesthecut.Shegaveiteverything.”

DoyouthinkaserieslikeTheDurrells isevenmoreattractivetoviewersintoday’s sometimesscaryworld?

“Ithinkso.IrememberwhenIwasfirstsentthescriptbeforeseriesone. Ialwaysthoughttherewasagapintelevisionscheduling.WehavealotofbrilliantTVintheUK.Butnotnecessarilyalight-hearteddramawithhighemotionandcomedy.AgapTheDurrells fills.

“Witheverything that’sgoingon intheworldatthemoment,itisscarytimespolitically.SotosettledownonaSundayeveningandyou’relookingoutintosummeronscreen,itjustliftseveryone’s spirits.ThetimeisabsolutelyrightforwhatSimonNyesaysisacelebrationoffamilylife.”

Thestoryhasnowreached1937, twoyearsbeforetheoutbreakofWorldWarTwo.Isthatreflectedin thisseries?

“That’sstartingtobereflectedalittlebit.Mostdramassetinthatperiodareaboutimpendingwar.TheDurrells arefarfromthatbutthere’sadefinitenod toitinthisseries.Again,it’sthatthingofescapingfromthepoliticsandthefear.Simonkeepsitlightbut stillmakespointsaboutvariousissues.

“TheDurrells areabunchofimmigrantswhoareaccepted,generallyspeaking,intothiscommunity.JustasweasagroupofactorsandcrewhavebeenacceptedintoCorfu lifewithopenarms.Andmaybethat’sanicemessagetopeople thatwecanbelikethatandthat’sareallypositivething.”

TheDurrells hasaglobalaudience.Haveyoubeenrecognised anywhereunusual?

“IwasattheSundanceFilmFestivalinUtahandwasrecognisedonabusbysomemid-Americanpersonwholovedwhatiscalled‘TheDurrells InCorfu’overthere.It’samazinghowtheserieshasspreadandhowpeople respondtoit.

“PrevioustoTheDurrells Ihaddonealotoftheatreandtelevisionandfilm.ButI’dneverhadanongoingserieslikethis.IalwaysknewwhenIfirstreadthescriptsthatthiswassomethingspecial.

“Butbeyond that,themagicofthisseriesisthecrew,thecastandeveryonewhoworksontheshow.Itgenuinelyisafamily.That’smagical.”

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CallumWoodhouseplaysLeslieDurrell

Whatcanyoutellusabout thisnewseriesofTheDurrells?

“There’sagreatfeelingofprideamongthecastandcrewhavingfilmedthisthirdseries.BeforethelastfinalpushtheproducerChrisHallisgoodenough toshowusalittlesizzlereelofsomeoftheworkwe’vedoneinCorfuandmaybethefirstcoupleofweeksofstuffatEaling Studios.Itreallydoesgiveeveryonearealboost,thinking, ‘Wow,thisiswhatwehavebeenworkingonanditlooksamazing.’

“Themake-up,costume,scenery, lightingandsoonallcomestogetherandyoucanseehowitwilleventuallylookonscreen.Sometimesinthemiddleofalloftheworkyoucanforgetpeoplewillactuallybewatchingthis.It’snotjustushavingfuninCorfu.”

WhatisLeslieup towhenweseehimagain?

“AswestartthenewseriesLeslieisprobably inoneofthehappiestsituationswe’veseenhiminsofar.He’splayingtheCasanovaofCorfualittlebit,balancinghistimebetweenthreegirls.Obviously intypicalDurrells’fashion,thefamilygetinvolvedanditallgoesterriblywrong.

“AlotofsceneswherethefamilyaremeddlinginLeslie’saffairswereshotwithoutme,soI’mreallylookingforwardtoseeingthem.It’salwaysajoywatchingeveryoneelseonscreen.I’mgenuinelyafanofeverybody intheshow.They’reallsogood.”

WillfansbeshockedbyLeslie’sapproach tohislovelife?

“IthinkpeoplemaybealittleshockedandalittledisappointedinLeslieatfirst.ButastheepisodesplayoutandyoustarttoseeLeslie’sreasoning,youcanempathisewithhimalittlebit.It’snotsomethingI,personally,wouldeverdoinreallife,butreadingitIcoulddefinitelyseewherethecharacterwascomingfrom.”

DoesLesliehavetodosomegrowingup inthisseries?

“Leslieisconfrontedbyanissuethatheshouldn’tnecessarilybefacingatsuchayoungage.OneofhismainstorylinesisseeingifhecanrisetothechallengeofthatandbecomethemanLesliedideventuallybecome.AttimeshismotherLouisahastopickupthepieces.

“It’sdefinitelythemostmeatystorylineI’vehadsofarinTheDurrells.It’sbeenchallengingdoingit,inthebestpossibleway.Lesliehastogofromboy toman.”

Hejoins theCorfu PoliceForce.Howdoesthatgo?

“Lesliegetshimselfaproper jobinthisseriesandoneheisveryhappywith.BeinginauniformandwalkingaroundCorfuTownwasgreattodo.LesliealsogetsanamazingpolicepartnercalledFilimonas,playedbyVassilis Papadimitriou.Heisbrilliant.Someoftheirscenestogetheraresofunny.That’sareallygreatpartofthenewseries.

“Tobeapoliceofficeryouhavetobelevel-headedandtolerantofotherpeople.Whichisn’tsomethingyouwouldnecessarilygotoLesliefor,butit’shisfavouritejobever.”

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Leslieisalsoinvolvedinastoryabout thepoliticalbackdrop to thistime?

“We’rejusttwoyearsawayfromwarandthereareissuesaboutfascismanddictatorships.Itwasquitetoughfilmingsomeofthosescenes,butthatwastherealityofthetimeanditimpactedonpeople’s lives.WhileLesliewouldgetintoserioustroubleifhedisobeyedpoliceorders,WorldWarTwowasjustaround thecornerandthereweredilemmastobefaced.”

Leslie,MargoandGerryarelefthomealoneatonestage.Howdotheycope?

“Theyweresomeofmyfavourite scenestofilmthistimearound.Basicallythehouseturns intoanabsolutetip.ThethreeDurrells reallydoneedtheirmumLouisaonhandatalltimestomakesurethey’renotbeinglittleterrors.Sowhenshe’snotthere,theyfallintothismadness.

“AttheendofthatwholestorylinewhenLouisacomesbackandwehavetosuddenly, reallyquickly,getthehouse tidy,thatwasoneofthemostfuntimesI’veeverhadonset.Itwashilarious.”

Leslietravelsonazipwire.Didthatrequireastuntdouble?

“Unfortunatelyitdid.Iwasreallyupsetaboutit.IwantedtodothatstuntbuttherewasawholelistofhealthandsafetyreasonswhyIcouldn’t. Ihadtohanditovertothestuntdoubleforpartofthescene.ItwasreallyinterestingtoshootaswefilmeditbothinCorfuandthenbackatEaling Studios.Justanotherexampleofthatmoviemagic.Whenyouseeitintheepisodeyouwouldneverknowhowitwasfilmed.”

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Areyourecognised agreatdealinCorfu?

“WhenwefilmedthefirstseriesIhadjustleftdramaschoolandIreallywasthebabyoftheproduction,evenwithMiloonset.And,ofcourse,no-oneknewwhothecastwere- asidefromAlexisGeorgoulis (Spiro)whoisabigstarinGreece.

“Butnow,havingdone twoseries,peopledorecognise us.TheyareverywelcominginCorfuandhavegottoknowus.AndbecauseTheDurrells hasbeensogoodfortourismalotofthelocalsaregratefultotheseries.Whichisalwayssonice.Wereallygetlookedafterverywellthere.Theyareallreallyfriendly.

“Thereweremanypeoplewhobumpedintousduringfilmingforthisthirdseriesandsaidthathadmadetheirholiday.Whichisareallysweetthingtohear.Onedaywewerefilmingdownbytheharbour andalloftherailingsatthetopwerefilledwithpeople lookingdownandwatchingtheshowbeingfilmed.”

Anynotableencounterswith theanimalsinthisseries?

“Iwasn’tashandsonwiththeanimalsthisyear,whichwasashame.LastseasonIhadtodoalittlegoatmilkingandthingslikethatwhichIreallyenjoyed. It’salllearningnewskills.Wehavesomeamazinganimalsthisyearlikeflamingoesandavulture.”

Leslieisputon thespotbysomeunexpectedarrivals.Haveyoueverturned upforsomethingatthewrongtime?

“Ididthatrecently. Iwentforatheatreaudition,turnedup, strolledinandfoundoutIwasthere24hourstooearly.”

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Oneepisode featuresatravellingcircus.Wasthatfun tofilm?

“WhenIreadthescriptforthatepisodeIhadno ideahowanyofthatwasgoingtohappen.ThecostumeLesliegetstowearwasanotherhighlightoftheseriesforme.You’llhavetowaitandseewhatitis.Butitincludesahugehat.Leslieisnothappyabouthavingtowearit.”

HowisyourGreekcomingalong?

“MyGreekiscomingalongreallywell.OutoftheDurrrell familyIthink IhavethemostGreeklinestosayinthisseries.And IfeellikeIreallyrosetothechallenge!”

WhatmakesTheDurrellfamilysoappealing?

“OneofthenicestthingsabouttheshowisalloftheDurrells aredifferentandpeoplecanrelatetothat.It’sgoodthatyouhavethesefivecharacterswhocouldnotbemoredifferent.

“EverysceneIhadwithJosh,whoplaysLarry, justendedupwithusboth infitsoflaughter.WhileElliTringou,whoplaysanewcharactercalledDaphne,hasbeengreattoworkwith.Reallyamazing.AndanyscenewithKeeleyisalwaysajoytofilm.

“Thisserieshasalsobeenmyfavourite intermsofthegueststarswehave.Theyhaveallbeenfantasticandplaysomewonderfulcharacters.”

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DaisyWaterstone playsMargoDurrell

WhatisMargoup towhenwemeetheragain?

“Margohasditchedherboyfriendandstillhasn’tgotajobafterleavingtheCountessattheendofseriesone.Soshe’sbeingthenormalMargo– tryingtofindnewhobbiesandgetsintosoapsculpting.Shedoesallthesenewbizarrethingsuntilshefinallymanagestofindajob inanX-rayunitandalsoasapart-timenanny.

“She’sbecomeveryadaptableandfiguredoutwhatitissheisgoodatandthethingsshecando.It’sjusthergrowingup,really.”

Howwasthesoapsculpting?

“Itwasreallycool.Theartdepartmentmadetheseamazingsculptures.TherewasonescenethattookalongtimetofilmwhenIhadtocarrythismassivesoapsculptureonatray.Itwassoheavy.”

Louisasays,‘Margohasabrain likearoomfullofstarlings.’Isthatentirelyfair?

“Idon’tthink itisfair.Margomaynotbeintelligent,butsheisbright.She’sdefinitelynot stupid.Occasionallyshebringsouthersparkandisstartingtodothatmoreandmore.AsMargogetsoldershehasalotmoreconfidenceinherself.Sheisonadifferentwavelengthtootherpeople– shedoesherownthinginherownlittleworld.

“IthinkMargoisverybrave.Shedoesn’treallycarewhatpeople thinkabouther.Shehasalotofcourage.”

Doyougetrecognised offscreenbecauseofTheDurrells?

“Peoplerecognise usnowinCorfu. It’snicebecausethey talktoyouasifyou’reoneofthelocals.Theyareveryfriendlyandwelcoming.

“AlotofpeoplecameuptouswhenwewerefilmingthisseriestosaytheycametoCorfubecauseofTheDurrells.It’sniceit’shadsuchanimpactonpeople tomakethemactuallywanttospendmoneyanddosomethingbecauseoftheshow.That’squiterewarding.

“I’veonlybeen recognisedafewtimesinEngland.ProbablybecauseIlookalotdifferentoffscreentoMargo.Myhairissostraight,IdressverydifferentlyandIholdmyselfdifferentlytohowMargodoes.

“Butitisanodd thingtoberecognised.EspeciallywhenI’mwithfriendswhoI’veknown foralongtime.It’sveryodd forthem.You feellikeyouhavetobeongoodformallofthetime.I’vebeen recognisedafewtimesontheLondon tube.”

HowdoesMargoreacttothearrivalofanother foreignfamilyinCorfu?

“MargomeetsthisgirlcalledClara(AntoniaDesplat)fromItaly,whoisaroundthesameageassheis,andisamazedathernaturalbeauty.Aswithanyotherteenagegirl,shefeelsdepressedby thefactsheisnotlikethat.

“It’sgreatthatSimonNyewrotethatinbecauseit’ssotruetosomanyyounggirlsoutthere.That’sexactlyhoweveryone feels.It’svery relatabletoalotofteenagegirlsandIcertainlyfeltitgrowingup.Soitwasveryeasytodrawonthat.”

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DoweseeLeslieCaronastheCountessagain?

“Wedo.TheCountess returnsbriefly.ItwasverynicetoseeLeslieagain.Itwasalsoquitemovingbecauseit’sbeentwoyearssincewestarted.Workingwithherinseriesonewas,forme,adreamcometrue.Andevery timeIseeherit’slovelybecauseitremindsmeofhowluckyIamtobeabletoworkwithheratmyyoungage.”

Margo,LeslieandGerryarelefthomealoneatonestage.Howdo theycope?

“BeingMargo,LeslieandGerry, theyallgetuptonogood.Theyarelefttotheirowndevices.Whichleadstolotsofmayhem.Then theyrealise theycan’treallycopewithouttheirmother.Thehousebecomesamess.

“IntermsofMargo,LeslieandGerry,we’reallgrowinguptogetherwithourcharacters.Everyone isstartingtobecomeadults,becomingmoreindependentandfindingthemselvesalotmore.EvenGerry.”

Howwasyouradolescence?

“Iwasquitenaughtyatschoolbut Iwasn’tparticularlydifficultformyparents.Ialwaysgotonreallywellwiththembut Ididgetintotroublealotatschool.TheywerealwaysveryforgivingbecausetheyknewIjustwantedtoact.Iwastheclassclown.Iwentthroughadolescencequitelate.IstarteddoublegrumpystuffwhenIwasabout17anditdidn’t lastverylong.I’vealwaysbeenquitechirpyandenergetic.”

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MargogoestoSpiro’shouse inthisseries.Isthatthefirsttimewehaveseenit?

“ItisthefirsttimewehaveseenSpiro’shouse. IhadareallyweirdexperiencewhenwefilmedtheexteriorofthatsceneinCorfu.Amanfromthevillagewherewewerefilmingcameuptomeandsaid,‘Youhavebeenherebefore.’Isaid,‘Idon’t thinkIhave.’Andhesaid,‘Yes,whenyouwereachild.YoucametostayinahousehereandIrememberyou.’

“Itturnedout Ihadactuallystayedinahouse there.IwenttherewithmyfamilywhenIwasfouror five.Butdidn’t remember.SoitwaslikecomingbackwithoutevenknowingIhadbeentothatvillagebefore.Amazing.”

DotheDurrellfamilyhavemoreGreeklinesthistime?

“TheyhavebeenthereforawhilesotheywouldbespeakingalittlebitmoreGreek.AlthoughIdon’tthinkMargospeaksverymuchGreek.MyownGreekisstillnotgreat.”

WhatroledoesMargoplaywhenatravellingcircuscomestoCorfu?

“MargoturnsintoTheAmazingMargoni.Wehadsomuchfunfilmingthetravellingcircusscenes.ItwasadreamcometrueformebecauseI’vealwaysbeenfascinatedbyallthoseoldcircuses.Justwalkingon tothatsetthatwasdecoratedsobeautifullyandtruthfullywasanamazingexperience.

“Gettingtodomagicaswellwasgreat.Idon’tdomagicnowbutIusedtodoalotofmagicwhenIwasakid.Theusualchildmagicwheretheadultssay,‘Oh,that’samazing.’Andactuallyitwasawful.

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“IlovedbeingTheAmazingMargoni.Doingthosemagicsceneswillalwaysbeclosetomyheartassomethingthatwasvery funtodo.AndbeinginvolvedinTheDurrells itselfhascreatedmagicformeandmylife.

“TheDurrells familyislikeacircusanywaysoitwasnicetohavearealoneaswell.Everymemberofthefamilyhasadifferentpersonality.WehaveLarry,thetroubledwriter.Leslieistheoutcastofthefamily.Margoistheyoung,sparkykid.AndGerryisawildchildandanimalgenius.”

Thereisadangerous stuntatthecircus.Haveyoueverdoneanythingscary?

“Ihavedonethingsthathavefrightenedme.Iwasquiterecklessasakid.IneverbrokeanybonesbutIlikeddoingrecklessthings.Iusedtoclimbup thesideofthefencesatthetenniscourtsatmyprimaryschool.”

HaveyouvisitedJerseyZoo,whichGerrywenton tocreateandrun?

“IwenttoJerseyZoolastyear.HiswidowLeeDurrellwasthere.TheytoldmealittlebitaboutMargoandalotaboutGerry. It’ssuchabeautifulplace.”

WhydoyouthinkTheDurrells hasbeensuchasuccess?

“Itisescapismfromtoday’sworldandit’sbeautifultowatchonscreen.It’sacalmingdramabuttherearehintsinthisseriesthattheworldisgoingtochange.ItstillremainslightbutWorldWarTwoisonlyafewyearsaway.ItwouldbegreattotellthestoryrightuptothepointwherethefamilyleftCorfu.”

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MiloParkerplaysGerryDurrell

WhatisaheadforGerryinthenewseries?

“WeseeGerrygrowingupinthisseries.Heisfacedwiththetypicalissuesthatcomewithenteringtheteenageyears.Hishormonesmeanhe’squitesnappyandGerryhasargumentswithLouisathisyear.Healsogetshisfirstgirlfriend- Galini,playedbyOliviaLebedeva-Alexopoulou.

“Fromtheirfirstmeeting,GerryisattractedtoGaliniandwantstospendsometimealonewithher.However,hisfriendTheo (Yorgos Karamihos)isgettinginthewayabit.SothatleadstoquiteadifficultconversationbetweenGerryandTheo.”

Gerryhassomeadolescentoutbursts. Didyouenjoyfilmingthose?

“Itisfuntofilm,butitcanbequiteawkward.There’sonescenewhereGerryhasanoutburstataparty.TherewerelotsofpeopleintheroomandIhadtodoitsomanytimes.

“I’m15nowandIthinkevery teenagercanfacestroppymomentsandmoodswings.Thosehormonalrelatedissues.You’ve justgottogetthroughtheseteenageyears.”

HowdoeshismotherLouisa react?

“Shedoesn’treallyunderstandjusthowfastGerryisgrowingup.ForLouisa,itdoesn’tseemthatlongagothatGerrywasababycrawlingaboutonthefloor.Sheisstrugglingtoletgo,whilstGerrydoesn’treallyunderstandLouisa’spointofview.Hegetsannoyedbecausehewantsmoreindependence.”

Hisbrother LarrysaysGerryis13goingon30.Doyou thinkthat’s true?

“Gerryismorematurebecausehe’sbeengivensomuchindependencebyhisfamilytoroamaroundtheisland.Thathelps.”

Whatabout theanimalsGerryencounters inthisseries?

“OneofthenewanimalsGerrymeetsinthisseriesisFranktheslothwho’sadreamtoworkwith.Veryprofessional.Normallywehavedoublesoftheanimalsbutthere’sjustoneFrank.

“Wealsofilmedwithayoungvulture inCorfu- anincrediblecreature.Evenatthatageitishugeanditwasreallyfascinatingtoobserve.Itwasonthetopofthisbeautifulmountainwithstunningviews.

“Gerry’smenagerieislargerthaneverandnowincludestwoflamingoes.They’renotviciousanimalsbuttheydohavequiteaninterestingtemperament.Itwasgenuinelyincredibletoseethem.Asusual,allthemembersoftheteamwhoworkwiththeanimalswereamazing.

“Gerrytestsouttheorieswiththeflamingoestoseeiftheircolour changesinrelationto theirdiet.HedoesthiswithTheo’shelp.AlittlemoreofthatsideofGerry’sinterestinanimalscomesout inthisseries.

“Healsohasawallofinsects.Thatwasoneofthefirstsceneswefilmed.Theheatwasextraordinarythatday.Wehadsomestickinsectsallover thewall.

“AndweseeGerrycampaigningagainstanimalcruelty.Hebecomesquitepassionateabouthowthelocalstreattheirdonkeys.GerrygoesoutcampaigninginCorfuTownappealingtolocalstotreattheirdonkeyswithrespect.He’s tryingtoconvey theideathatanimalshavefeelingstoo.Theycanexperiencepainandneglect.

“IthinkthatwasthebeginningofGerryreallyadvancinginthisconservationworldhehasentered.Which,ofcourse,endedupwithhimcreatingJerseyZoo.”

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Areyourecognised muchoffscreen?

“We’reallrecognised inCorfuquiteabitnow.Therearelotsofphotostaken,especiallywhenwe’refilming.It’sallverynewtome.TheDurrells hasbeenafantasticexperiencewithsomanypositiveeffectsonallofourlives.

“TherehasalsobeenquiteasignificantincreaseintourismtoCorfusincethefirstseriesaired.It’slovely thatpeoplewanttotraveltoseewherewehavefilmedandgreatthattheserieshasbeenabletohavethatimpacton theisland.”

Oneepisode featuresatravellingcircus.Howwasthatfilmed?

“Ittookaweekandahalftofilmthetravellingcircusscenes.Thereweresomanypeopleinvolvedandlotsofextras.Itwasveryorganised chaos,butverygoodfuntofilm.Especiallymyact,whichinvolvespelicans,adonkey andaseagull.Therewasalovelyatmospherearoundthecircusanditlooksbrilliant.

“Atravellingcircuswouldhavebeenthepinnacleofentertainmentbackthen.AndwithCorfubeingsucharemoteislandthen,itwouldn’thavegotmanytouringcircuses.Itwouldhavebeenfantasticforthelocalstosee.

“Gerryobviously takesaninterestintheanimalsatthecircusandenjoysthecompanyoftheanimalhandlerasthey,ofcourse,havesharedinterests.”

WhatelsedoesGerrygetup to?

“Gerrydecidestocookhisownveggiemeals.Thefamilygetquitejealousofhiscookingbecausethereareplentymorevegetablesavailableontheislandthanthereismeat.Sotherestofthefamilyareonrationsofrabbitsandgrislymeats,andthere’sGerrycookingupamassivestir-fry.

“Myowncookingskillsareprettydiabolical.Idon’t cookverymuch.IdidacoupleofHomeEconomy lessonsinschoollastyear,buteverythingendedupburned.SoIdon’t cookveryoftenforthefamily.”

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DoesGerryspeakmoreGreek?

“Thefamilyhasbeenontheislandforaroundthreeyearsnow.TheyarelearningthecultureandsomearemakingmoreofaneffortwiththelanguagetocommunicateinGreek.Asformeinreallife,Iknowalltherudewords.ButI’mnottoogoodwiththevocabulary.”

YouareanambassadorforJerseyZoo,whichGerrycreated.Doesthatkeepyoubusy?

“I’vevisitedJerseyZooandlastyearIwenttoaneventinCoventry whichwasraisingmoneyfortheDurrellWildlifeConservationTrust.ItwasaconcertwithanorchestraandwithGerry’swidowLeeDurrellIreadacoupleofextractsfromMyFamilyandOtherAnimalsandthetrilogy,whichwasfantastic.

“I’malsohopingtogetbacktoJerseyZootoseehowalltheanimalsaredoingandseethenewarrivals.TheexhibitionaboutGerryatthezooissodetailedandgivesyouarealinsightintohislife.”

Howdoyoulookbackon filming?

“It’sbeenfantasticfunfilmingthisthirdseries,butit’sreallysadattheendoffilming.We’veallworkedsocloselytogetherandthenwehavetogoourseparateways.Lookingbackatthehardwork thateveryonehasputin,wecanallbeveryproudofthefinishedproduct. Ithinkpeoplewillreallyenjoy thisseries.”

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AlexisGeorgoulis playsSpiro

Howdoyou lookbackon filmingthisthirdseriesofTheDurrells?

“Therearemixedfeelingswhenyoucometotheendoffilmingaseries.Weallfeelhappytohavemadeeightepisodesafterfivemonthsofconstantshooting.Everythingwentverywell,whichisvery satisfying.Yetit’sbittersweetbecauseitwillbesometimebeforeweallseeeachotheragain.ButtherearesomanygreatmemoriestotreasurefromfilmingthisthirdseriesofTheDurrells.”

WhatisinstoreforSpiroin thenewseries?

“SpirohasalwaysbeenaroundtheDurrellfamily.Eagertohelp.Butinthisseriesheisgettingclosertothemandisinvolvedinmorefamilymoments.HehashisownwifeandchildrenbuthealsoadmirestheDurrellfamilyandenjoysspendingmoretimewiththem.

“WelearnmoreaboutSpiroandhisbackground inthisseries.Itdelvesdeeperintohischaracter.Thatwasagreatopportunity formetoexploremoreaspectsofhim.Hewas,ofcourse,arealpersonsoit’sinterestingtodothat.”

Whatisitlikereturning toCorfu forfilming?

“Itwaslikegoingbackhome.Idon’tknowhowlongTheDurrells willgoonforbutIknowIwillgoback toCorfuagain,nomatterwhat.Becauseitreallydoesfeellikehome.

“Wegetalotofattentionwhenwe’refilmingnow.Beforethefirstserieswasscreenedpeoplerecognised mebecauseI’maGreekactor.NowKeeleyHawesandtherestofthecastarewellknownbecausepeoplehaveseentheseriesandloveit.Theyarepartoftheislandnow.

“ThelocalCorfiots knowthateveryyearthecastandcrewwillbeinCorfu, takingatripback intimewiththeproduction.Soit’slikewearepartoftheislandnowandthelocalsociety.

“TheDurrells hasalsobeenverygoodfortourism.Therehasbeenagreatincreaseinthenumberoftouristscoming,especiallyfromBritain.Andtheseasonnowstretchesoveralongerperiodoftheyear.Everybody ishappyaboutthat.ThisTVserieshasnothingbutgoodwordstosayaboutCorfuandpeoplecanseehowlovelyitisonscreen.Corfu islikeaparadise.

“TheseriesisalsoshownoncableTVinGreece.ManypeopleinGreecenowknowaboutTheDurrells andlove it.”

StSpyridon isthePatronSaintofCorfu. SoSpiro isnamedafterhim?

“SpiroisthemostcommonnameinCorfubecauseofStSpyridonwhoissaidtohavebeeninvolved inmanymiracles.Onhissaint’sdaypeoplegototheplacewherehisbody iskeptandwhispertheirwishesanditisbelievedthosewisheswillbedone.”

IsSpiroinvolvedwhenanewforeignfamilyarriveonCorfu?

“ThearrivalofanItalianfamilymakesLouisaunderstandhowvaluableSpiroisfortheDurrellfamily.IthinkshegetsalittlebitjealousbecauseIbecomethedriverforthisnewfamilyaswell.AndLouisagetsalittlenervousbecauseshethinksshe’sgoingtoloseSpiro.ForthefirsttimeweseeSpiroandLouisaarguingaboutsomethingtheydisagreeabout.”

DowefinallygettoseeSpiro’shouse?

“WegettoseeSpiro’shouse.Thatwasagreatsurpriseforme.InthefirsttwoseriestherewasthequestionofwhereSpiroactuallylived.Iwasverycurious toseehowtheartdepartmentwouldportraySpiro’shouse.

“Spiroisusuallyveryhappyandbuoyant.Butinthisseriesweseeanothersidetohim.Inoneepisodehegetsverygloomy.And inorder toexpressallofthe

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sadnesshehasinside,Spirosingssadsongsalongwithhisguitar.IncludinganoriginalSpirocomposition.Soweshallseehowhedoesasacomposer!”

Doeshestilldrivethesamecar?

“Itisthesamecarwehaveusedfromthestart.Ihavealotofscenesdrivingthatcar.Becauseit’sold itsometimesdoesn’tworkverywell,butItalktoitandsay,‘Comeon.Let’sworknow.’Itismyfriend.”

Oneepisode featuresatravellingcircus.Whatdidyouthinkofthat?

“Itwasafantasticidea.Backthenatravellingcircuswouldhavebeenabigattractionintheentertainmentworld.Itwasveryinterestingtofilm.”

Weseeadangerousstuntatthecircus.Haveyoueverdoneanythingdangerous?

“ThescariestthingIhavedone inmyreallifeisprobablyridingmotorbikes.IlikehighspeedsoIdrivethemonracetracks.SometimesIdoparagliding.Ijumpfromthetopofthemountain.Atfirstitwasveryscary,butnowit’sveryenjoyable.Ifeellikeabird.Thosearemyextremehobbies.”

WhydoyouthinkTheDurrells hasbeensuchasuccesswithviewers?

“OneofthereasonsforthesuccessofTheDurrells isbecauseit’saveryinterestingdramabuttherearenogreatexplosions,murdersormajorcrimes.It’sdifferentfromthemajorityofotherdramasbecauseit’salwayspositivewithoutbeingboring.

“ButwithWorldWarIIjustafewyearsawaynow,it’slikethecalmbeforethestorm.Ithink itwouldbevery interestingtotellthefullstoryoftheDurrellfamily.

“TheDurrells werewelcomedintoCorfu.Inreallifeaswellasinourseries.AndpeoplefromBritain,Greeceandallovertheworldworkon thisseries.It’sanexampleofpeoplecomingtogether.”

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EPISODE1

Inthefirstepisodeofthenewseries,LouisahasherhandsfullwhenshediscoversthatLeslieisseeingthreedifferentgirlsatthesametime.Concerned thatLesliewillgethurt,Louisatakesituponherselftohelphimdecidewhoheshouldpickbyvisitingeachofthegirls.However,withallofthefamilymembershavinganopinion, Leslieisfacedwithanawkwarddilemma.

Meanwhile,Larryinjureshisleg,whilstunemployedMargostrugglestofindavocation.WithLarryinexcessivepain,LouisaseeksadvicefromTheowhosourcesanewupX-rayunittoexamineit.

EpisodeSynopses

EPISODE2

Stillreelingfromthedisastrousafternoontea, LesliegoestomakeamendswithDionisia,whohehasdecidedhewantstobewith.HesendsalettertoDaphnetoletherdowngently,whilstLarryandLouisatakeitupon themselvestodiscuss‘thebirdsandthebees’withhim.

Meanwhile,GerrybecomesfascinatedwithanovergrownwallofinsectsinthegardenandMargobusiesherselfwithhernewjobasTheo’sassistantinhisnewX-rayfacilityinCorfu.However,thetranquilityintheDurrells’householddoesn’tlastlongwhenDaphne’sfatherpaysavisittoLouisatodeliversomelife-changingnews.

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LouisaDurrell KEELEYHAWESLarryDurrell JOSHO’CONNORLeslieDurrell CALLUMWOODHOUSEMargoDurrell DAISYWATERSTONEGerryDurrell MILOPARKERSpiroHakaiopulos ALEXISGEORGOULISAuntHermione BARBARAFLYNNLugaretzia ANNASAVVATheodoreStephanides YORGOSKARAMIHOSFlorence LUCYBLACKSven ULRICVONDERESCHDrPetridis ALEXISCONRANDaphneLikourgos ELLITRINGOUDionisia ERIFILIKITZOGLOUTsanta FENIASXINAMrLikourgos GERASIMOSSKIADARESISZoltan MERCHHUSEYPrue FELICITYMONTAGUGeoffrey JEFFRAWLECreech JAMESCOSMOCountessMavrodaki LESLIECARONBasil MILESJUPPDurant HENRYLLOYDHUGHESHenryMiller TREVORWHITERuby LAURAFERRIESJonquil ALICEHENLEYJeejeebuoy TANMAYDHANANIAPavlos NIKOSORESTISCHANIOTAKISGuidoFerrari LUCACLAVANIClaraFerrari ANTONIADESPLAT

CharacterCredits

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Violetta Ferrari FABIENNEPIOLINI-CASTLEDemetrios VASILLISVASILAKISGalini OLIVIALEBEDEVA-ALEXOPOULOUUncleLeonidas SPIROSIOANNOUElena CHARLOTTEATKINSONDragan GORANNAVOJECZob ANNA-MARIAEVERETTMrKralefsky VERNONDOBTCHEFFViggo MARTINLAERNelly GRACEHOGG-ROBINSON

CharacterCredits

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ProductionCredits

ExecutiveProducer SALLYWOODWARDGENTLEExecutiveProducer LEEMORRISExecutiveProducer&Writer SIMONNYEProducer CHRISTOPHERHALLDirector(Block1) ROGERGOLDBYDirector(Block2) NIALLMCCORMICKCastingDirector SUZANNECROWLEYCastingDirector GILLYPOOLEProductionDesigner STEVIEHERBERTCostumeDesigner CHARLOTTEHOLDICHMake-upDesigner SARAHGRUNDYLocationManager NIKOSKOUMANTARAKISLineProducer PATLEESAnimalCo-ordinator LIZTHORNTONScriptEditor SAMSYMONSEditor(Block1) DAVIDTHRASHEREditor(Block2) VICKITOOMS

Ifyouuseanymaterialfromthispresspack,pleaseincludeafullcreditfortheshow.

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